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Local freelancers create space for art, live music, sound recording

Brian Allen (left) and John Cannon are partners for a new multimedia design studio called M.A.D.Studios located in downtown Augusta. M.A.D., which stands for Music, Art, Design, offers studio recording, art exhibits, photography and graphic and web design.

Three Augusta artists and designers have opened a combined studio on 11th Street.

M.A.D. Studios, owned by Brian Allen, John Cannon and Leah Deslandes, opened two weeks ago at 307 11th St. Allen is an artist and a musician, Cannon is a freelance writer and musician, and Deslandes is a photographer and designer.

Cannon had seen the space several years ago, and had always been interested in it as a potential combined gallery and workspace downtown.

He saw that the space was available and immediately got in touch with Deslandes and Allen about starting something there.

Allen and Cannon have had an online music talk show, Confederation of Loudness, for the past four years and ran into difficulties recording at Cannon’s house.

The 11th Street space allowed for a recording studio, a listening room to record live performances and gallery walls to display art.

“The thought was just, wouldn’t it be cool to have a room with art, where people play?” Cannon said.

As a display space, the studio is more of an “art room” than an art gallery, Allen said, with a focus on any local or regional art from music to sculpture.

The live acoustic shows and the gallery have generated a lot of traffic in the two weeks they have been open, Cannon said, and they’re hoping this will lead to contacts that can improve their freelance careers. The studio owners work cooperatively on projects, and hope to grow their joint projects.

“Everyone has their own little thing that they do, but they all overlap,” Cannon said.

The next acoustic show will be Saturday.

COME OUT AND SEE

M.A.D. Studios is hosting Cameras Guns & Radios Aug. 25 at 7 p.m., with tickets available at their studio on 307.5 11th Street or through www.madstudiosaugusta.com.